Trystan Casey
The evolution of stoves, from the Stone Age to the present, has been a journey of constant innovation in pursuit of more efficient ways to cook. Electric stoves, in particular, were invented in the late 19th century and gained popularity as replacements for solid-fuel stoves, which were more labor-intensive. The first electric oven was patented by Canadian inventor Thomas Ahearn in 1892 and showcased at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. However, electric stoves faced initial challenges due to unfamiliar technology and the need for electrification in cities and towns. By the 1930s, technological advancements, reduced electricity costs, and modern designs boosted the adoption of electric stoves, especially in household kitchens. The introduction of self-cleaning features and advancements in the latter half of the 20th century, such as smooth cooktops and convection ovens, further solidified their popularity. Today, electric ranges continue to evolve, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal to homeowners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First electric range introduced | 1910 |
| First patent for an electric stove | 1859 |
| First patent for an electric oven | 1892 |
| Electric stoves became common | 1970s |
| First patent for an automatically controlled electric oven | 1897 |
| First patent for an electric stove with a grill tray | 1905 |
| First patent for an electric stove with a thermostat | 1906 |
| Electric stoves started to compete with gas stoves | 1930 |
| Electric stoves began to replace gas stoves | 1930s |
| Glass-ceramic burners introduced | 1970s |
| Over-the-range microwaves became standard | Late 1970s |
| Convection ovens introduced | Late 1970s |
| Percentage of homes with a stove/oven unit in 2015 | 91% |
| Percentage of homes using electricity for stoves/ovens in 2015 | 61% |
| Percentage of homes using natural gas for stoves/ovens in 2015 | 33% |
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What You'll Learn
Electric stoves became popular in the 1930s
The electric stove was invented in the 19th century and was perhaps first displayed at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. However, electric stoves only became popular in the 1930s. This was due to a variety of factors, including the decreased cost of electric power, the introduction of electromechanical thermostats, and the modernised styling of electric stoves.
By 1906, some one-handled electric hotplates were gaining traction, and by 1908, three companies had introduced electric stoves in the United States. However, electric stoves were still considered a novelty in the 1920s, partly due to the unfamiliar technology and the need for cities and towns to be electrified. It was only in the 1930s that the technology had matured, and electric stoves slowly began to replace gas stoves, especially in household kitchens.
The invention of nichrome alloy for resistance wires also improved the cost and durability of heating elements, making electric stoves more affordable and longer-lasting. Additionally, electric stoves became more fashionable because they were easier to clean, less expensive to run, and faster than their gas counterparts. They also eliminated the need for solid fuels like wood or coal, which required more labour to operate and maintain.
During the 1930s, manufacturers hired designers to make products like stoves more appealing to consumers. For example, Norman Bel Geddes, a New York City theatre set designer, designed the boxy Oriole stove in white enamel to appear sanitary and with no legs so that housewives wouldn't have to clean underneath it. Electric stoves were also marketed by electrical utilities to build demand for electric power, and demonstrations of cooking on electric stoves were popular during this time.
By the 1970s, electric ranges were common in homes, featuring four 8,000 British thermal unit (BTU) burners and a single oven. Electric stoves became even more popular with the introduction of self-cleaning features, which eliminated the need for harsh chemicals and made them even more appealing to homeowners.
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They replaced solid-fuel stoves
Electric stoves were invented in the late 19th century and became popular replacements for solid-fuel stoves, which used wood or coal. Solid-fuel stoves required more labour to operate and maintain, and often left kitchens covered in coal dust. In 1892, Canadian inventor Thomas Ahearn filed a patent for an "Electric Oven", which he likely used to prepare a meal for an Ottawa hotel that year. The electric stove was then showcased at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, where an electrified model kitchen was exhibited. However, electric stoves were slow to catch on due to unfamiliar technology and the need for electrification in cities and towns.
In 1897, William Hadaway was granted a US patent for an "Automatically Controlled Electric Oven", and by the late 1920s, electric stoves began to compete with their gas counterparts. They became more fashionable because they were easier to clean, less expensive, and faster. However, some cooks at the time complained that electric stoves took the art out of cooking, prioritising convenience over the craft.
It wasn't until the 1930s that electric stoves truly began to replace solid-fuel stoves in household kitchens. This was due to maturing technology, decreased electricity costs, and modernised styling. Electric stoves benefited from not having an open flame, heating more quickly, and having better temperature control. Additionally, there was no danger of leaking gas. By the 1970s, electric ranges were common in homes, and innovations in the latter half of the 20th century made cooking faster and more efficient.
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The first electric range was introduced in 1910
The history of the kitchen stove is a long one, with the first known cooking apparatus that completely enclosed a fire believed to have been built from clay during the Qin dynasty (221-207 BC). The search for better, more efficient ways to cook food continued until the 19th century when the first electric stoves were invented.
In 1892, Canadian inventor Thomas Ahearn filed a patent for an "Electric Oven", which he likely used to prepare a meal for an Ottawa hotel that same year. Ahearn showcased his electric stove at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, marking the beginning of a new era in home cooking. However, electric stoves were slow to catch on due to unfamiliar technology and the need for electrification in cities and towns.
It wasn't until 1910 that Hotpoint introduced the first electric range, marking a significant shift in home cooking. This innovation paved the way for more convenient and controlled cooking methods, and electric stoves slowly began to replace their gas-powered counterparts. By the 1920s, electric stoves were still considered a novelty, but they gradually gained popularity in the 1930s due to improved technology, decreased electricity costs, and modern styling.
The introduction of flat electric ranges, also known as smooth cooktops or glass-ceramic burners, came much later in the 1970s. These burners offered several advantages, including a smooth, flat surface that was easier to clean and a low coefficient of heat conduction that allowed for the easy passage of infrared radiation. The 1970s also saw the advent of microwave ovens, which further transformed cooking by offering convenience and space-saving benefits.
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Self-cleaning features made them even more popular
The history of the cooking stove goes back to dynastic China, with the first known cooking apparatus that completely enclosed a fire built from clay during the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC). In the mid-18th century, Benjamin Franklin invented a wood-burning stove made of iron. However, he made the mistake of routing the smoke through the bottom of the stove. It wasn't until the late 1920s that electric stoves began to compete with gas models, thanks to their ease of cleaning, lower cost, and faster cooking times.
By the 1970s, electric ranges were common in homes, but it was the introduction of self-cleaning features that made them even more popular. Homeowners were drawn to the convenience of being able to clean their ovens without harsh chemicals. The self-cleaning function works by heating the oven to a high temperature, burning off grease and food residue. This was complemented by the introduction of smooth cooktops, which offered a sleek surface that was easier to wipe down. Glass-ceramic burners, introduced in the same decade, also contributed to easier cleaning as they prevented discolouration.
The late 20th century saw a range of innovations that transformed home cooking, making it faster and more efficient. Convection ovens, which use fans to circulate hot air, reduced cooking times by 25–35% compared to conventional ovens. Electric ranges also benefited from the introduction of high-end appliances, bringing the power and precision of restaurant kitchens into homes.
Today, electric ranges continue to evolve, with modern features such as rapid boil, smart capabilities, and Wi-Fi connectivity. They are available in a variety of styles, including freestanding, slide-in, and drop-in models, allowing for flexible installation options. With their combination of convenience, functionality, and design, electric ranges have become a staple in kitchens across the world.
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Glass-ceramic burners were introduced in the 1970s
The history of the stove goes back to dynastic China, with the first known cooking apparatus that completely enclosed a fire built from clay during the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC). The first record of a stove in Europe was in Alsace, France, in 1490. In the mid-18th century, Benjamin Franklin invented a wood-burning iron stove. The first electric range was introduced by Hotpoint in 1910, marking a shift in home cooking and paving the way for more convenient and controlled cooking methods.
In the 1920s, electric stoves began to compete with gas stoves, thanks to the invention of electromechanical thermostats. However, they were still considered a novelty, and sales and public acceptance were slow to develop due to the high cost of electricity, limited power availability, poor temperature regulation, and short heating element lifespans.
It wasn't until the 1930s that electric stoves gained widespread acceptance. This was due to maturing technology, decreased electricity costs, and modernized styling. Electric stoves became popular as replacements for solid-fuel stoves, which required more labour to operate and maintain.
The 1970s also saw the introduction of self-cleaning features for electric ranges, making them even more appealing to homeowners. Convection ovens, which use fans to circulate hot air, were another game-changer of this decade, reducing cooking times by 25–35% and improving cooking results.
Over time, innovations in stove technology have continued to revolutionise cooking, making it faster, more efficient, and adaptable to new trends and energy demands.
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Frequently asked questions
Flat electric ranges with glass-ceramic burners were introduced in the 1970s.
The burners offered the advantage of a low coefficient of heat conduction, allowing the easy passage of infrared radiation. They also heated up more quickly and were easier to clean.
Electric ranges replaced solid-fuel stoves, which used wood or coal and required more labour to operate and maintain.
Electric stoves began to compete with gas stoves in the 1930s due to the decreased cost of electric power and the maturing of the technology.
The electric stove was invented in the late 19th century. Canadian inventor Thomas Ahearn filed a patent for an "Electric Oven" in 1892, and in 1897, William Hadaway was granted a patent for an "Automatically Controlled Electric Oven".
